NEMA ED: Lack of water experts cost lives in MV Templar accident

The Executive Director NEMA, Dr. Tom Okurut has expressed concern over the shortage of marine experts in the country and failure to carry out a hydrographic survey on all Uganda’s water bodies.

Speaking at the Green Growth meeting held Thursday, Okurut blamed the high number of dead in the MV Templar accident to the country's lack of water experts in the marine and rescue department who could do very little to help save the victims then.

He noted that Uganda last had a serious water bodies survey (Hydrographic survey) in 2007 demarcating the depth of the waters as well as sighting the best parts to have landing sites. Uganda does not have current information on its wwater bodies.

Okurut said the lack of information about Uganda's waters makes it difficult to ensure safe and secure water transport for those who use these means.

Tanzania has carried out a survey to map and chart its water bodies. The survey enabled the country to identify the best spots for aqua fishing, building ports and other marine related businesses.

With Uganda over 60 islands, there is need to carry out a hydrographic survey to harness benefits found on these islands.